I like writing, but I was young when I realized my ambition of being a sportswriter like my dad was doomed. For two reasons: First, I write like I talk, with very little attention to grammar. I had an excellent English teacher in middle school that praised me as a creative writer but damned me for poor grammar. He gave me a “C.” Thus, my future in media sales, original home of the “C” student, was set at an early age. Second, I learned an important lesson as my dad’s sidekick covering Missouri Tiger football games for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. He let me tag along to all the home games and we’d show up hours before kickoff and worked hours after the game. Every Saturday was a marathon getting those stories crafted for the Sunday paper. I loved it, but it was a long day. Conversely, I noticed the TV and radio guys showed up about 20 minutes before the game, all smiles. Then, they spent the fourth quarter talking about what restaurant they would hit after the game. At the gun, poof, they were gone. I knew a good thing when I saw it. “I’m in” I thought, broadcasters have more fun!
I learned a lot about journalism and media from my dad, and it has helped me throughout my career. His two primary sports were professional golf and college football. He had a national reputation for both, often being published in regional and national magazines in addition to his work for the paper. Rational, detailed questioning, listening, and observation was his trademark craftwork. Weaving a colorful story with perfectly constructed sentences, capturing a Masters win at Augusta, or an Orange Bowl win in Miami was his resultant work of art. His stories were based on fact-finding and often, unearthing the story behind the story. That is hard work, and another great lesson I learned. Objectivity was the centerpiece of almost every action he took and every decision he made. He was a true and dedicated journalist. “Journalist” was a title he felt he had to earn every day through his actions. It was sacred and precious. He was a guardian.
As it turns out, broadcasting is a lot of fun. It also turns out to be a lot of work, even if you make good on those dinner reservations after the day shift is over. I like to think that the hard work that we all put into our media jobs has meaning beyond the revenue, ratings, or other “KPI’s.” I like to think it is allowing us, in our own way, to also be guardians.
Enjoy the WBA Summer Conference at beautiful Grand Geneva! Please join me in wishing the amazing Anna Engelhart a great year as WBA Chair!
Judson Beck
WBA Board Chair
